How to Winterize a Whirlpool Dishwasher

Cold weather brings snow, skiing and outdoor fun, but it also brings freezing temperatures and the chance of frozen pipes and plumbing problems. If you are turning the heat off for the winter in a home, you must drain appliances that may have water inside, such as your dishwasher. Luckily, winterizing a Whirlpool dishwasher isn't difficult and is a task that can be completed in just a few minutes.

Things You'll Need

RV antifreeze

Open up the door on the Whirlpool dishwasher.

Pour a quart of RV (Recreational Vehicle) antifreeze into the dishwasher pump. This is located at the lowest point in the floor of the dishwasher. The holes in the bottom of the dishwasher are the drainage holes for the pump. Pour the antifreeze into these holes.

Close the dishwasher door.

Run the pump for your dishwasher. How this is done depends on the model. You only need to run a short cycle, just enough to fill the pump with the antifreeze. On an electronic Whirlpool dishwasher, select the "Rinse" cycle. Listen for the whirring noise of the pump. Press "Off" or "Cancel" when you hear it turn on. On a Whirlpool dishwasher with a manual timer, start the machine on "Rinse" and then slowly turn the timer by hand until you hear the pump start.

Tips & Warnings

RV antifreeze and automobile antifreeze are not the same thing. RV antifreeze is safe to use in appliances that come into contact with dishes, clothes and humans.